Locals test their skills in International Open
Italian club top medals table
The Malta Judo Federation marked the 25th anniversary of the Sedqa Malta International Open Championships by inviting a host of European teams to take part in the tournament held recently at the St Aloysius Sports Complex.
The championships enjoy a very good reputation overseas and has seen world, European and national champions taking part in past editions.
For local teams, and Sports Director Alex Bezzina in particular, the championships served as an ideal gauge during the build-up for the Games of the Small States of Europe, this year in Cyprus between June 1 and 6.
The championships this year attracted judokas from Italy, Belgium, Ireland, England and Sicily.
Among them were Belgian University and College Games winner Sandrine Billiet and Francesca Ripandelli, a member in the Italian national squad for cadets.
Italian club Judo Preneste Roma topped the table with eight medals, five of which were gold.
Shawn Farrugia won the only gold medal for the Maltese. The Hibernians Budokwai Club judoka was the winner in the Cadets 50kgs.
Present for the championships were Martin Chetcuti, Prevention Executive at Sedqa, MOC officials Julian Pace Bonello and Mark Cutajar and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Clyde Puli who presented medals on Day One of the event.